Omega-3 Fats Linked to Alzheimer’s Prevention 07/07/09

Several large studies have shown that higher intake and/or blood levels of omega-3-fats are associated with a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease as one ages, as well as other form of dementia and cognitive decline.

The studies include:
The Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities Study
The Zutphen Elderly Study
The Framingham Heart Study

The proposed mechanisms by which omega-3-fats may reduce risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia include:
Decreased brain inflammation
Increased blood flow to all parts of the brain
Improved nerve conduction (electrical activity from nerve cell to nerve cell)

In 2007 a break through study reported in the Journal of Neuroscience showed that one of the omega-3-fats in fish and fish oil (DHA – docosahexaenoic acid) binds to the LR-11 receptor on brain cells and shuts down the production of beta-amyloid protein. Beta-amyloid protein is an insoluble protein that literally chokes brain cells to death and is a hallmark feature in Alzheimer’s disease.

The discovery that omega-3-fats can increase the number of LR-11 receptors and switch off production of beta-amyloid protein by nerve cells is an important discovery, and may further explain why individuals with higher intake and blood levels of omega-3-fats are less prone to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease as they age.

My Recommendation:
Studies show that individuals who ingest 400 mg per day, on average, of omega-3-fats are less prone to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, and thus I recommend that you:
Consume 2 fish servings per week (more than that puts you at risk for mercury toxicity unfortunately)
Take an essential fatty acid supplement each day that contains 400 mg of fish oil, 400 mg of flaxseed oil and 400 mg of borage seed oil – as this combination is associated with a multitude of health benefits (see Adeeva Nature’s Essential Oils)
If you are allergic to fish, then get your omega-3-fats from flaxseed oil (at least 1 capsule per day, containing 1200 mg of flaxseed oil – you may wish to take 2-3 capsules)

At this time there are few established approaches to reduce risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, and so I would strongly encourage you to optimize your omega-3-intake, as I have recommended above.

Dr. James Meschino DC, MS, ND